Tide or current motor.



No. amass. Patented Dec. 3|, 1901.

H. E. BEACH.

TIDE 08 CURRENT MOTOR.

(Application filed Sept. 14, 1900, (No Model.) 3 Sheets-$heet I.

2x INVENTOHV+ HARRY E. @EAfii-i ATT HNEY WIND r Mad/k4 m: NORRIS PETERS co, PHfllO-LITMO., wAsumcTou. 6, cv

No. 690,093. Patented Dec. 3|, I901.

H. E. BEACH. I

TIDE 0R CURRENT MOTOR.

(Ap flication filed Sept. 14, 1900.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

INVENTOR HARRY EBE'ACi-i F'ifiiimom:

HARRY E. BEACH, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

TIDE OR CURRENT MOTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,093, dated December 31, 1901.

Application filed September 14, 1900- To 61/ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY E. BEACH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tide or Current Motors; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates generally to improve ments in that class of apparatus to be placed in streams or other bodies of water for the storing of the power derived from the currents or waves of the water; and the present invention has reference more particularly to a novel arrangement and construction of mechanism for applying the power obtained from the currents or waves of the water to a device for generating and storing electricity or to any other suitable mechanical means for the propulsion of useful machinery of the various kinds.

The invention therefore has for its primary object to provide a novel construction of tide or current motor comprising a float or pontoon which rides upon the surface of the water, so as to rise and fall with the corresponding rise and fall of the tide or to rise and fall with each wave, and which is arranged bet-ween the piles of a suitable pier or other means on which the machinery to be driven is arranged and is operatively connected with mechanism for driving the mechanism on the pier.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and operative mechanism which shall be of astrong construction and in which the floating portion, besides its buoyancy, is constructed to secure strength to resist the uncertain forces due to varying currents or waves, and thereby provide an operative device, and, furthermore, to provide a float or pontoon for the purposes above stated which is provided with any desirable number of blades,which are hinged or pivotally connected with the Heat or pontoon in such a manner as to be set for efficient action with the direction of the current on one side of the appara- Serial No. 30,020. (No model.

tus, but will fold on the other side of the apparatus when returning against the direction of the current.

A further object of the invention is to provide in connection with the float or pontoon made to ride upon the surface of the water a suitable guide mechanism to prevent the parts being forced out of alinement and to prevent unnecessary wear and the collapse of the structure and to permit the float or pontoon to rise and fall with the varying heights of the watensurface due to the tide waters or waves.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an arrangement of mechanism connected with the float or pontoon and to be operated from the pier or bridge for raising the float and parts connected therewith entirely out of the water for necessary repairs or in case of storms when the surface of the water is very rough or when the currents are too severe; and, finally, my invention has for its principal object to improve and simplify the general construction and arrangement of the parts of tide or current motors, with a View of causing the several parts of the mechanism to perform their work in the most effective, reliable,efficient, and economical manner.

\Vith these various objects in view my invention consists in the novel construction of apparatus to be hereinafter fully set forth and in the general arrangements and combinations of the various mechanism, as well as in the details of the construction of the various parts thereof, taken singly or collectively, all of which will be fully described in the accompanying specification, and then finally embodied in the various clauses of the claim,which form a part of this specification.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a part vertical section and side view of a pier and one form of apparatus embodying the principles of my present invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross-section taken on line 2 2 in said Fig. 1, illustrating in plan or top View the general arrangement of the float or pontoon. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section of one of the blades, which are suspended from the bottom of said float or pontoon, said section being taken on lines 3 3 in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross-soc- ICO I any well-known manner upon suitable piles from the rotatable float or pontoon for driving or posts 2 and provided with the cross-pieces 3 and braces 4, which at the same time form a suitable railing, as will be clearly evident from an inspection of said Fig. 1. Upon this bridge or platform 1 I have arranged a suitable electric generator 5, which is provided with ashaftti, rotating in the bearings 7, and hasa wheel 8. The said electric generator is connected by means of the circuit-wires 9 and 10 with a storage battery 11, substantially as illustrated in said Fig. 1;' but of course it'willbeevidentthat in place of the electric generator any other suitable mechanism may be arranged upon the. bridge to be driven other useful machinery.

Secured against the under side of the platform or bridge 1, by means of brackets or hangers 12, is a ring-shaped piece 13, which is provided in its upper surface with a groove 14, forming a ductin which I have arranged suitable balls or, rollers 15. Rotatively arranged upon this ring 13 is a second ringshaped piece 16, which is likewise provided withagroove or duct 17, fitted over the groove or.duct 14 in the piece 13 and resting upon the, balls org'ollers 15, substantially as illustrated. In this manner a suitable turn-table isprovided. Suitably secured to said ringshaped piece 16, by means of rivets 18 or in any, other well-known manner, arev any desirable number of downwardlyextending rods or barsl9, for the purposes to be more fully set forth hereinafter.

The, float or pontoon consists, essentially, ofa hollow ball or sphere 20, which is made of copperor any other material suitable for the purposes for which it is intended. Thisball orsphere 20 is usually made in halves,.which are provided with flanges 2 1 and aresecu red togetherby means of rivets 22, asindicated. Concentric with the said ball-or sphere 20 is ah-ollow float 23,-preferably made in the manner of a ring, substantially as illustrated.

. The said float 23 ismade up of any desirable numberof sections, which are provided with flanges 24 and are secured together bymeans of ri vets 25 or in any other suitable manner.

Secured uponthe upper surface of the, said floater pontoon 23 by means of rivets or bolts 27-isaring26, which is preferably made L shaped in cross-section, as illustrated in Fig. 1' ofgthedrawings. Secured to this ring by means of rivetsor bolts, 29 are uprights or standards28, which correspond in position and number to the positions and number of thedownwardly-extending rods or bars 19, hereinabove mentioned.- These uprights or standards 28 have their upper portions slidably arranged alongside of the lower end portions of said rods or bars 19, and these end portions, of the said uprights 28 and the bars 19 are operatively held in their sliding engagement,one alongside of the other,by means of guide-pieces 30, in the manner clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4. From an inspection of Fig. 1 it will be seen that the said guidepieces 30 are arranged in pairs, one being secured by means of rivets or bolts 31 to the extreme lower end of the rod or bar- 19 and having its guide portions 32 embracing the upper portion of the upright or standard28, while the other guide-piece 30 is securedv by means of rivets or bolts 31 to theextreme upper end of the standard or upright 28and having its guide portions 32 embracing the lower portion of the said downwardly-extending rod or bar 19. Thus it will be evident that a complete and operative connection is provided between the floating pontoon 23 and the. ring 16 of the turn-table above mentioned. Any rotary motion of the float or pontoon will thus cause a corresponding rotary motion of the ring 16, while the guides 30 permit the float or pontoon to rise and fall with the rise and fall of the water and without any possibility of displacing the ring 16 from the antifric- .tion balls or rollers 15 in the ballrace of the turn-table. The said wheel 8, previously mentioned, which is secured on the shaft of the dynamo electric machine 5, extends through an opening, as at 33, in the bridge or platform 1 and has its cylindrical surface in rolling engagement with the upper surface of the rotatable ring 16. Thus it will be seen that when the ring 16 turns the, said wheel will cause the operation of the shaft 6, and in consequence causes the generatorfi to produce sufficient electric current,which isstored in the battery 11.

Rigidity of the partsof the apparatus is produced by brace-rods 34, which are secured between the standards 28 and they ring' 26, and by suitably-disposed tie-rods 35,arranged between the respective, standards 28 and a suitable ring or flange-piece 36, which is secured upon the upper port-ion of the central ball or sphere 20 by means of rivets 37 or in any other suitable manner. Against the lower surface, of the said ball or sphere 20 I have secured, by means of rivets 39 or in any the bottom of the float or pontoon 23 are radially-arranged rods 45, said rods having their respective ends arranged in holes or openings in the said rings 38 and 42, substantially as illustrated in Fig. 1, and each rod 45 being held in its proper position by means of a pair of nuts 47 and 48, arranged on the outer screw-threaded end portion 46 of each rod and upon the opposite sides of the flange or shoulder 44 of the ring 42. In this manner the said rods 45 are held in place and cannot accidentally become disarranged. Upon the said rods 45 are the eyes or loops 50 of certain straps 49, to which are secured, by means of rivets or bolts 51 or in any other suitable manner, the operating-blades 52 for causing the rotation of the buoyant float or pontoon and the operation of the mechanism connected with the same. In this manner each blade 52 is hinged to or pivotally connected with a rod 45, and the impact-surface of each blade is preferably made concave, as at 54, (see Fig. 3,) to receive the direct force from the current of the water, as will be clearly evident. Thus it will be seen that each blade presents a bucket-like surface to the direct action of the current, the latter causing a stop or lip 53 on the blade to be brought against the under surface of the ring 40, as illustrated, and thereby holding the blade approximately in a vertical position to cause the rotation of the buoyant float or pontoon. Owing to the arrangement and construction of these hinged or pivoted blades, no matter in which direction the current of the stream may be at least one-half the number of blades will always be in action, receiving the direct impact or force from the current, while the other one-half of the number of blades will be raised or folded on their return passage against the action of the current, and therefore will offer no resistance to the motion of the float or pontoon, and, furthermore, owing to this arrangement of the blades, the direction of the rotation of the float or pontoon will always be the same no matter from which direction the current of the stream or the force of any waves against the blades.

In order that the float or pontoon, with the several parts connected therewith, and its blades may be raised entirely outof the water for repairs or in case of severe storm, an eyebolt 59 may be secured upon the top of the ball or sphere 20, and a flexible connection or chain 55 may be attached to the ring or eye of said bolt, said flexible connection or chain extending upwardly through an opening 56 in the floor of the bridge or platform 1 and then wound about the drum of a suitable Windlass, as 57, for raising and lowering purposes. To prevent distortion and sagging of the several parts ofthe float or pontoon when raised entirely out of the water, connecting guy-chains or flexible connections 58 may be arranged between the said main chain or flexible connection 55 and the tie-rods 35, substantially in the manner represented in said Fi ci L3 1; but itwill be evident that these flexible connections 58 may be connected with the chain 55 and any other desired part of the mechanism of the float or pontoon 23, the chain 55 being prevented from twisting during the rotation of the pontoon by an arrangement of a suitable swivel connection (which is well known and is not shown in the drawings) at some point in the said chain between the said bolt 59 and the Windlass 57.

From the above description it will be clearly understood that I do not limit my invention to any particular shape of the buoyant float or pontoon, nor to any special number of piles and connecting tie-rods and braces. Furthermore, it will beevident that I may employ in connection with the apparatus any desirable number of blades 52, which may be variously shaped and curved to meet variously-existing conditions.

I am fully aware that many changes may be made in the several arrangements and combinations of the mechanism, as well as in the details of the construction thereof, without departing from the scope of my present invention. Hence I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the mechanism as described inthe foregoing specification and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, nor do I confine my self to the exact details of the construction of any of the parts thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a tide or current motor, the combination, with a pier, and mechanism to be driven on said pier, of a rotatable float or pontoon, adapted to ride upon the surface of the water, means connected with said pontoon to cause the rotation of the said pontoon, and means between said float or pontoon and the mechanism on said pier for driving said mechanism when said float or pontoon rotates, consisting, essentially, of a turn-table on the under side of said pier, and connecting-standards between said float or pontoon and said turn-table, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a tide or current motor, the combination, with a pier, and mechanism to be driven on said pier, of a rotatable float or pontoon, adapted to ride upon the surface of the water, means connected with said pontoon to cause the rotation of the said pontoon, and means between said float or pontoon and the mechanism on said pier for driving said mechan ism when said float or pontoon rotates, consisting, essentially, of a turn-table on the under side of said pier, downwardly-extending connecting bars 01' rods on said turn-table, connecting-standards on said float or pontoon, and a means of slidable connection between the ends of each pair of bars or rods and standards, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a tide or current motor, the combination with a pier, and mechanism to be driven on said pier, of a float or pontoon, adapted to ride upon the surface of the water, a series of hinged or pivoted blades on the under side of said float or pontoon, for rotating the same, and means between said float or pontoon and the mechanism on said pier for driving said mechanism when said float or pontoon rotates, consisting, essentially, of a turn-table on the under side of said pier, and connecting-standards between said float or pontoon and said turn-table, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In a tide or current motor, the combination, with a pier, and mechanism to be driven on said pier, of a float or pontoon, adapted to ride upon the surface of the water, a series of hinged or pivoted blades on the under side of said float or pontoon, for rotating the same, and means between said float or pontoon and the mechanism on said pier for driving said mechanism when the float or pontoon rotates, consisting, essentially, of a turn-table on the under side of said pier, downwardly extending connecting bars or rods on said turn-table, connecting-standards on said float or pontoon, and a means of slidable connection between the ends of each pair of bars or rods and standards, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a tide or current motor, the combination, with a pier, and mechanism to be driven on said pier, of a float or pontoon, a central ball or sphere, means for connecting the same with said float or pontoon, and all adapted to ride upon the surface of the water, a series of hinged or pivoted blades on the under sides of said float or pontoon and said ball or sphere, and means between said float or pontoon and the mechanism on said pier for driving said mechanism, when said float or pontoon rotates, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a tide or current motor, the combination, with a pier, and mechanism to be driven on said pier, of a float or pontoon, a central ball or sphere, means for connecting the same with said float or pontoon, and all adapted to ride upon the surface of the water, a series of hinged or pivoted blades on the under sides of said float or pontoon and said ball or sphere, and means between said float or pontoon and saidmechanism on said pier for driving said mechanism, when said float or pontoon rotates, consisting, essentially, of a turn-table on the under side of said pier, and connecting-standards between said float or pontoon and said turn-table, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In a tide or current motor, the combination, with a pier, and mechanism to be driven on said pier, of a float or pontoon, a central ball or sphere, means for connecting the same with said float or pontoon, and all adapted to ride upon the surface of the water, a series of hinged or pivoted blades on the under sides of said float or pontoon and said ball or sphere, and means between said float or pontoon and said mechanism on said pier for driving said mechanism, when said float or pontoon rotates, consisting, essentially, of a turn-table on the under side of said pier, downwardly-extending bars or rods on said turn-table,connecting-standards on said float or pontoon, and a means of slidable connection between the ends of each pair of bars or rods and standards, substantially as and for the purposes set' forth.

8. In a tide or current motor, in combination, a central ball or sphere 20, a float or pontoon 23, a ring 38 on said ball or sphere, and a ring 42 on said float or pontoon, radially-arranged rods between said rings 38 and 42, a hinged blade on each rod, and a projection or stop on each blade, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. Ina tide or current motor, in combination,.a central ball or sphere 20, a float or pontoon 23, a ring 38 on said ball or sphere, and a ring 42 on said float or pontoon, radially-arranged rods/between said rings 38. and 42, a hinged blade on each rod, and a projection on each blade, a ring 36 on said ball or sphere, a ring 26 on said float or pon toon, and standards on said ring 26, a connecting means between each standard and said ring 36, and means connected with said standard for actuating a power-storing mechanism, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

10. In a tide or current motor, in combination, a central ball or sphere 20, a float or pontoon 23, a ring 38 on said ball or sphere, and a ring 42 on said float or pontoon, radially-arranged rods between said rings 38 and 42, a hinged blade on each rod, and a projection on each blade, a ring 36 on said ball or sphere, a ring 26 on said float or pontoon, standards on said ring 26, and a turntable connected with said standards, and a connecting means between each standard and said ring 36, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

11. In a tide or current motor, in combination, a central ball or sphere 20, a float or pontoon 23, a ring 38 on said ball or sphere, and a ring 42 on said float or pontoon, radially-arranged rods between said rings 38 I and 42, a hinged blade on each rod, and a projection or stop on each blade, a ring 36 on said ball or sphere, a ring 26 on said float or pontoon, standards on said ring 26, a nd connecting tie rods or braces between said standards and the ring 36, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

12. In a tide or current motor, in combination, a central ball or sphere 20, a float or pontoon 23,'a ring 38 on said ball or sphere, and a ring 42 on said float or pontoon, radially-arranged rods between said rings 38 and 42, a hinged blade on each rod, and a projection or stop on each blade, a ring 36 on,

said ball or sphere, a ring 26 on said float or eeopee pontoon, standards on said ring 26, connectforth above I have hereunto set my hand this ing tie rods or braces between said standards 13th day of September, 1900. and the ring 36, a flexible connection attached 1 to said ball or sphere and to said tie-rods, and HARRY BEACH 5 means for raising and lowering the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the invention set Witnesses:

FREDK. C. FRAENTZEL, GEO. D. RICHARDS. 

